Report: Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva wants to return to Gremio

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The Brazil international arrived at Liverpool from Gremio back in 2007, and was subject to a bid from his former employers in January.

Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva at half time

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has his heart set on a return to his homeland of Brazil, and specifically with his former club Gremio, after completing 10 years of service for the Merseyside club, as said to Radio Atlantida and reported by the Liverpool Echo.

The 30-year-old Brazil international was signed from Gremio in 2007, and Lucas has gone on to make 339 appearances for the Reds in all competitions, scoring seven goals and winning the League Cup in 2012.

Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva and Ragnar Klavan

There was a strong possibility that Lucas could have departed Anfield last summer, but Jurgen Klopp convinced him to remain with the Reds, and the Brazilian was rewarded with 31 appearances in all competitions – however, now Lucas feels the time is right to leave.

Speaking about his future plans, Lucas revealed that he rejected a bid to return to Gremio in January as he wanted to complete his 10 years’ service with Liverpool, but would love to return there and has admitted that talks are currently ongoing with his former employers.

Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva in action with Southampton’s Sofiane Boufal

“There was an offer from Gremio in January but I wanted to complete 10 years at Liverpool,” Lucas said to Radio Atlantida, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

“Now in the window we had a conversation, but nothing official. I do not hide my desire to return to Gremio, but there are several factors.”

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and Lucas Leiva

The Liverpool Echo also claimed that Besiktas and Brighton and Hove Albion were both interested in his services, though Lucas clearly has his heart set on a return to his homeland, and to his former club, whom he could well retire with.

Liverpool return to the Champions League for the first time since 2015 after finishing fourth in the Premier League, just one point ahead of Arsenal in fifth, and will start in the qualifying rounds for the group stage.